Latest Coronavirus Updates In Ridgewood, Glen Rock

The ongoing outbreak of the new coronavirus in New Jersey has impacted life in Ridgewood and Glen Rock including the closure of schools and businesses, which continue to be announced.

The governor has declared a "stay-at-home" order for the entire state. All non-life-sustaining businesses in New Jersey have been closed.

Here are the latest local updates from Ridgewood and Glen Rock:

CASES:

• Ridgewood had 76 cases as of Tuesday evening, and Glen Rock had 25.
• As of Wednesday morning, Bergen County had 3,202 cases.

SCHOOLS:

• New Jersey schools are currently closed. Gov. Phil Murphy said he would revisit the school closures no earlier than April 17, but he doesn't expect changes until May at the earliest.

BUSINESSES:

• Murphy issued a state-at-home order and closed non-essential businesses earlier in March. Read more: Gov. Murphy Announces NJ 'Stay-At-Home' Order Due To Coronavirus
• New Jersey is now allowing car dealerships to sell cars online or remotely, and dealers can deliver cars directly to buyers or arrange curbside vehicle pickup.
• Realtors are still permitted to show houses one-on-one with buyers or with the buyer's immediately family. Open houses are prohibited.
• Golf courses are now closed in New Jersey.

HOSPITALS AND TESTING:

• Bergen County now offers drive-thru testing for patients with coronavirus symptoms and a prescription from a doctor.
• Passaic County also offers drive-thru testing.
• Hackensack Meridian offers COVID19 testing at its nine urgent care centers in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
• Immediate care of Marlboro is offering a drive-thru COVID19 test in the Marlboro Medical Arts site located at 479 Rt 520 in Marlboro. Testing is by appointment only at (855) 925-5467 ext 0.
• The PNC Bank Arts Center is a regional FEMA drive-thru test location and is open for testing every other day from 8 a.m. to 4pm for up to 500 persons per day. Click here for PNC Arts Test Center info & schedule.
• On every Saturday, the PNC Bank Arts Center site will be dedicated to symptomatic health care workers and first responders -- police, fire, and EMS -- with valid credentials only. The general public will not be able to access this site on Saturdays.
• Central Jersey Urgent Care is testing up to 80 patients daily at Eatontown, Howell and Marlboro.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

• Glen Rock will host its 2020 Budget meeting on April 6 at 7 p.m. Discussions are to include the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the budget. Viewers are invited to share questions or concerns with Council Member Kreibich at akreibich@glenrocknj.net or with the council at MayorandCouncil@glenrocknj.net. Dial-in information will be provided online.
• Glen Rock will hold its regular public council meeting on April 13 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. The meeting can be accessed online. The meeting will also be available via GRTV, and a call in number will provided online for residents to ask questions.

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

Here's what else you should know:

• State health officials said they believe the virus is "community-spread" in New Jersey. "Community-spread indicates that the coronavirus is amongst us," Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli announced. Read more: Coronavirus May Be 'Community-Spread' In NJ
• Here are 10 resources for you and your family to utilize as you navigate through the outbreak: Unemployment, Tests, Food: 10 NJ Resources In Coronavirus Crisis
• Murphy issued an executive order on Thursday, March 19 to ensure voters can exercise their right to vote without risking their health and safety. Read more: Coronavirus Alters NJ Election Procedure, Moves Election Dates
• The first person in New Jersey to die of the coronavirus was reported on Tuesday, March 10. Read more: First NJ Coronavirus Death, 4 New Cases: Governor
• New Jersey's courts suspended all new jury trials until further notice, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said on Thursday, March 12. Read more: Coronavirus Throws Monkey Wrench Into New Jersey Court System
• State Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner announced on Saturday, March 14 that municipal court sessions will be suspended.
• The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission said it's also closing temporarily. Read more: New Jersey MVC Shuts Down Because Of Coronavirus
• With the number of new coronavirus cases increasing nationwide and in our area, some hospitals in New Jersey are projected to run out of beds for patients if the number of infected people rises by even a few hundred. Read more: NJ Hospitals Lack Beds For Coronavirus Surge: Report

• Four members of the same New Jersey family died from the coronavirus, according to March 19 reports. Read more: 4 In Same Family, Including 3 In NJ, Die Of Coronavirus: Reports
• The deadline for Americans to file federal taxes was moved from April 15 to July 15, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin tweeted on Friday, March 20. Read more: Federal Tax Day Postponed To July 15 Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
• Five more counties will be getting coronavirus testing sites as the outbreak continues throughout the state. Read more: Drive-Through Testing Sites To Open In 5 NJ Counties

How It Spreads

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.
There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.
While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends taking preventive actions to contain the spread of viruses. This includes:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

HOW TO COPE WITH COVID-19 STRESS

• From the New Jersey Department of Health:
• Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news/social media
• Take deep breaths, stretch, meditate
• Eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly
• Get plenty of sleep; avoid alcohol/ drugs
• Do things you enjoy like baking or walking the dog
• Talk with people you trust about how you are feeling.
• Get the facts at nj.gov/health

HOW TO HELP

• In Ridgewood: Community Meals is collecting shelf-stable food items for home-bound seniors at 385 Bedford Road.
  • Suggested donations: Oatmeal packets (6 packs), Dry cereal (Cheerios or Shredded Wheat), Shelf-stable organic milk (6 pack), Juices (apple, cranberry, white grape), Applesauce, Crackers, Small peanut butter, smooth, Canned/pouch of ready chili, Tuna pouches, Canned vegetables, Canned fruits, Soup (low salt), & Canned Beans.